NEWS
MOVINGON
Relocations and expansions across Europe
Way cleared for mine development
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Major investment for Pickersgill-Kaye
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ickersgill-Kaye Ltd and sister company Pickersgills will benefit from significant investment being made by parent company, Joseph Kaye Holdings Group, in new software systems at its Leeds manufacturing plant that will help boost productivity and bring customer benefits. More than £100,000 is being spent by the group on new computer equipment, software and training from Epicor for an ERP solution that is designed to streamline the firm’s entire data operations, from manufacturing to administration and customer service. The lock manufacturer and coating and electroplating specialist believes that consolidating all its information on a single database makes financial and production sense as it will enable them to analyse and interrogate data for strategic purposes much more efficiently. Visit: www.pkaye.co.uk
ContiTech expands production capacity in Slovakia
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ontiTech Vibration Control is expanding its commitment in Slovakia. In the past few months, the company has invested around €7.5 million in the Dolné Vestenice site. Currently ContiTech is commissioning a new production hall which will increase the existing production area by another 4000m2. The site now has a total area of some 20,000m2. “This new facility will strengthen our site in Slovakia, taking us one step closer to our eastern European customers,” says Kai Uwe Frühauf, head of the ContiTech Vibration Control business unit. “We want to tap into additional business with automotive manufacturers in the eastern European market.” The company is aiming to increase sales by about 30% between now and 2016. ContiTech Vibration Control has had a presence in Slovakia since 1996 with the Dolné Vestenice site. The business unit produces vibration control components for the automotive industry and other industries, and sealing technology for brakes and steering systems on-site for its customers around the world. Visit: www.contitech.de
Alcoa expands in Hungary
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lcoa, the inventor and global leader of forged aluminum wheels, is investing US$13 million to expand its wheel manufacturing plant in Europe, to meet growing demand for its lightweight, durable, lowmaintenance aluminum truck wheels. The expansion of the Székesfehérvár, Hungary, facility will enable Alcoa to 20 Industry Europe
tratex International Plc, the AIM-quoted exploration and development company focused on gold and base metals in Turkey, East Africa and West Africa, has announced that the Forest Permit has been awarded for the Altıntepe gold project in Turkey. This development marks the start of construction at the site, which is expected to take approximately six months. Bob Foster, chief executive officer, said: “This is very good news indeed as the Forest Permit was the final regulatory hurdle facing the project. Bahar have already commenced clearing of the site to facilitate construction and, following a site visit and project review with Bahar in April, we anticipate providing the market with further details of project planning and timelines. “This is a major step in the transition of Stratex to being a gold-producing company and allows us to plan for the future with even more confidence.” Visit: www.stratexinternational.com
Shell opens first research centre in China
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hell has opened a new technology centre in Shanghai, China dedicated to research and development into lubricants and oils. The centre (Shell Shanghai Technology Limited) will focus on lubricant product development and application for China and the wider Asia region covering countries such as India, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. Matthias Bichsel, Shell’s Projects & Technology director, said, “The Shanghai facility will bring Shell’s technology leadership even closer to customers and partners in the region. Shell has long been at the forefront of lubricant science and technology. We recognise that better oils and greases can lead to energy savings and improved machine performance.” The centre will become a part of Shell’s network of lubricants laboratories, working closely with the other two centres, in Hamburg, Germany and Houston, USA. These are part of a wider 10-centre strong global network of Shell R&D centres. Visit: www.shell.com
produce twice as many Dura-Bright® EVO surface-treated wheels in Europe by early 2015, compared with current production levels. “Demand for Alcoa’s forged aluminum wheels continues to grow in Europe, as emissions regulations drive up the need for stronger, lighter and easier-to-maintain wheels that increase payload, reduce main-
tenance costs and enhance sustainability,” said Tim Myers, president, Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products. “Additional capacity at our manufacturing facility in Hungary positions us to capture this growth.” Construction on the production line expansion began in January 2014, with completion expected in early 2015. Visit: www.alcoawheels.com
